A/N – Well, the delightful ride of this Christmas Story is about to come to an end.

Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews and encouragement. It has made this story extra delightful for me.

I hope you all have a fantastic New Year and a great 2011.

This year has been very interesting for me, having only been on FF since April, but I've had so much encouragement from a lot of you, some amazing tips and help with my writing which has made a huge difference and I have definitely felt welcomed here.

So without further rambling by yours truly, here is the final chapter. Enjoy.

04/01/2011 - Thanks to alix33 for pointing out a few important missing words. I've updated that here.

Disclaimer in Chapter 1.

Chapter 10

It was five pm, New Year's Eve, and Callen was sitting in his car looking at the house he hadn't set foot in in over five years – if you didn't count his dream the other night that was. It still looked the same; still looked like the fun, loving family home that it had been. The garden was beautiful but simple, easily kept and hardy enough to handle the kids who had run around and through it over the years.

Callen watched the shadows that were cast across the curtains from the lights inside as people moved in front of them. He sat there wondering just what he would say to them. He'd only spoken to Martha on the phone, but there were the others. James, Max, Joey, Tim. He really didn't know what he would tell them.

And then there was Becca.

Whilst she wasn't the only little one from the time he'd been here, the other two, William and Jessie, had been too young to really know him back then. William was Becca's little brother who she loved to bits, he'd only been three months when Callen had left. Jessie was Joey's little girl. She'd been one. At least there were two people in that house that he hadn't hurt. Even though he hadn't been as close to their wives and Tim's girlfriend, they'd still considered him part of the family and he was assuming that leaving had hurt them too, just a little.

Callen put his head back against the seat and wondered what the hell he was doing? Five years was a long time. What if it was too long? What if he hurt them again? If he couldn't do this after all? Callen's hand reacted of its own accord, the instinct to run and not get hurt sweeping through him as his hand went to the keys in the ignition. He was about to start the car and leave, but Tabby flashed across his mind and Callen stopped. He thought about Tabby and Alyssa, thought about the dream, the look in Alyssa's eyes when she'd indicated that she wanted to see where this would go too. He remembered when Tabby had crawled into his lap for a hug that night and whispering that she liked him. And his promise that he would see them again.

Callen's hand dropped from the keys. He needed to do this, not just for himself, not just for the family he'd left behind, but for the family he wanted for his future. One that would include the people in the house that he was currently sitting outside of, if his hopes were fulfilled. Because he didn't want to walk away from them again.

Callen glanced to the house and smiled. He'd had so much fun in that house; and not just because of Faith. It was because it was his family behind those walls, even if he hadn't seen them for a long time. Callen reached for his keys again, this time to take them out. He opened his door and stepped onto the footpath, closed the door and locked it. He turned and stared at the house as he took a deep breath.

"Was wondering how long it would take you to get out of the car," a voice said from nearby. Callen spun around and saw Max standing by a tree, just behind where Callen had parked his car. He hadn't even noticed him.

"Max. Hi."

Max stepped over to him. Callen could see the tension in him.

"G. I'd say it's nice to see you again, but I'm not sure yet."

Max stopped and studied him. "Why are you here G? I want to know what your intentions are. Mum's told me about your phone call and I get it. I get that you were hurting, that being around us was going to hurt. But five years G? I hope you don't think you can walk in there and not have a few questions to answer."

Callen shook his head. "I don't Max. I know I hurt everyone by not coming back. I just couldn't do it."

Max continued to look at him, keeping whatever he was feeling off his face.

"It's this simple," Max told him. "You want to go in there, that's fine. But unless you can promise me that when you leave you will be back, that you won't disappear like you did last time, then I'm sorry, I won't be able to let you go in. I can't let you hurt them that again."

"Max, that's enough," a deep voice came from behind Callen.

Callen turned towards the familiar voice. James.

"G. Good to see you again Son," James said as he walked up to Callen and wrapped his arms around him in a hug that normally would have had Callen pulling away. Except that James gave Callen something he'd always secretly craved, that accepted feeling from a father. Gibbs came close to being able to give him that, but the hug or affectionate displays weren't something they did. But Callen had changed over the last few days and returned the hug easier than he would have only last week. Returned it as easily as he used to. Maybe it wasn't so much that he'd changed but that he was finding his way back.

James let go, knowing Callen well enough to not hold on too long.

"We should go inside. The others are waiting."

"Dad," Max started. James held up a hand to stop Max. He turned to Callen.

"G, Max is right about one thing. You go inside, then you will be back. Because this time, we're not letting you go. This time, if things get too hard, you will have us to help. We obviously didn't make everything clear enough to you last time. So I'll make it clear now."

James paused as Callen glanced away as the pain surfaced from losing Faith. He got control of it, pushed it back and then looked back to James. Only then did James continue.

"You are family. Families help each other through everything. Everything G. Do you understand?"

Callen nodded. "I don't know what's going to happen. I just know I want this to work," he admitted. "I can't guarantee I won't want to run and disappear. It's what I've done most of my life." This wasn't anything new to them. They knew his history, knew about his childhood and his work. He'd opened up to them more than anyone.

"Then just promise us one thing," Max said.

Callen turned to him, "What?"

"That you will let us help. That if things get too much, you'll tell us and let us help you through it."

Callen looked at Max carefully. The blank look he'd had on his face, not letting the emotions through was gone and Callen could see that Max did still care about him. Callen didn't know what to say so he just nodded.

"Well then," James said, "Let's get you inside." James turned toward the house and Callen followed with Max coming up behind. There was a squeal and James jumped out of the way just before Callen was attacked by a dark haired girl who threw herself at him. Callen's arms went around her as she jumped up and threw her arms around his neck; the force which she launched herself at him sent them both spinning around.

"Uncle G, you're back!" the excited voice rang loudly in his ear and he couldn't help but smile.

"Becca," he whispered. Callen stopped them spinning and managed to set her down on her feet, before he looked down out her. Callen smiled again.

"Hi Uncle G," Becca said with a huge bright smile on her face.

"Hi Becca."

"I've missed you."

Callen reached out to tuck a wayward curl behind her ear. "I've missed you too."

She really was getting more like Faith.

Becca grabbed his hand and dragged him into the house. Callen couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped his lips at her enthusiasm. He hadn't expected it. As they stepped through the door Becca squealed out, "He's here. He's here."

Martha stepped through a doorway and Becca turned to face her. "Grandma! He's here!"

"I know Becca. I can see that." Martha then turned her attention to Callen. The look on her face almost brought Callen to tears. It was the same as before he'd left. Full of love, acceptance, care and concern. Martha moved over closer to him.

"Welcome home G," she said softly as she waited for him to make the choice about a hug. She always had when he'd first arrived for each visit. She hadn't wanted to push anything on him, so she'd held back and let him make the first move. Once that had happened though, she'd hug him whenever she felt he needed it. And she'd always been right.

Callen stepped over and hugged her. "Thank you Martha. It's good to be back." He closed his eyes against the tears as he held onto her tight. This did feel like home still. The house, the people. The hug. Somehow this family managed to put so much into such a simple gesture.

The hug was interrupted by a tugging on his arm.

"Come on Uncle G, you've got to see William. He's grown so much."

Martha smiled as she let him go and Becca dragged him away again.

The next hour was spent playing with Becca, William and Jessie. Thankfully, without a fairy costume in sight. There were a couple of other additions to the family since he'd left but they were a little younger and wary of him. Tim and Joey were happy to see him, though he had a feeling he was going to end up with a chat from Tim. The wives, all three of them now as Tim had married his girlfriend, were also happy enough to see him, though they did hold back a little, especially Becca's mum.

Before Callen knew it, it was time eat and he found himself seated between Becca and Martha at a large dining table that had obviously been extended since he'd been here last. There was a slight twinge in his heart that Faith wasn't here too but again, as with talking to Sam about Faith last night, it wasn't as painful as he remembered it to be.

When it was time for Becca to go to bed, she begged him to tuck her in and read her a story. It wasn't something he had to think about. He wanted to do it and when she came downstairs after she was ready for bed to say goodnight to everyone, Callen willingly followed her upstairs. Becca sat on the bed, a storybook in her hands. Callen sat down next to her but she didn't hand it to him. She didn't look at him either.

"Becca, what's wrong?" Callen asked.

Becca looked up at him and he saw the tears in her eyes. "I missed you Uncle G. You never came back."

Callen pulled her into his lap, even though at nine she was almost too big, and held her tight.

"I'm sorry I didn't come back. I couldn't."

Becca nodded her head. "Grandma told me that it hurt you when Aunty Faith died. But it hurt us too."

"I know." Callen felt his heart break at the pain he heard in Becca's voice; hated himself for being the cause of some of it. He also knew she wasn't trying to do that, she was just telling him the truth.

Then Becca confused him completely when she put her arms around his neck, squeezed tight and said, "I knew you'd come back."

Callen pulled back and looked at her. "You knew? How?"

Her eyes flicked away briefly before coming back to his. "Aunty Faith," she admitted somewhat reluctantly.

Callen frowned and Becca continued. "I used to dream about her. Still do sometimes. She'd tell me you'd be back, when you could. That you were sad and didn't want to make us sadder."

Becca rested her head on his shoulder and Callen breathed in that childish scent from some fruity shampoo that she'd used earlier.

"Faith always knew me better than I thought," Callen admitted softly. It was pretty close to one of the reasons he hadn't been back.

"You didn't think you would?" Becca asked, a touch of curiosity and sadness to her tone.

"I didn't know. I just knew it hurt so badly and I ran from it and tried to forget. Then it was so long, that I told myself you'd all have forgotten me." Becca deserved the truth and he gave it to her in what he hoped were words she could understand, ones that wouldn't hurt her anymore.

Becca shook her head. "Never," she said with such conviction. She moved off his lap and the bed and knelt down on the floor as she pulled something out from under the bed.

She sat back down next to him and handed him a book. It looked like a diary.

"I wrote to you, in here, cause I didn't know where to send it. It made me feel a little better, like you were still here."

Callen looked at her, so like Faith except with green eyes instead of grey.

"I'm so sorry Becca."

"You're back now right? You won't leave again."

Callen saw the tears in her eyes, felt matching ones in his own. "I'm back. I don't live here, I'm in LA, but I promise you Becca, I'll be around. I won't leave like that again."

Callen grinned to himself. It had to be Becca that got that promise out of him so easily. She was just like Faith. She held his heart in her hands and he would do anything for her.

Becca handed him the diary. "I want you to have this. You can read it or get rid of it, but they were for you, so." She gave a small shrug as she finished.

Callen took it from her hands and then hugged her again. "Thank you. I will read them. Now, don't I have a story to read to you?"

Becca grinned. "More than one. You've got a lot to catch up on, Uncle G."

Callen shook his head but couldn't resist grinning back. "Two then."

"I'm keeping track by the way. I'll let you know when you've finally caught up."

Becca handed him the book and moved back up the bed. Callen moved to sit next to her and Becca settled herself in his arms. Just like she always had for story-time.

Before he could start though, she had another question. "Uncle G, have you… I mean is there … Do you have a girlfriend?" she asked tentatively.

"Not yet. But there's someone I'm interested in."

Becca looked up. "Would I like her?"

Callen smiled. "It's entirely possible you would. She's got a little girl who's almost seven who I am sure you would like."

"Will I get to meet them?" Becca's eyes lit up as she asked and Callen chuckled.

"I've only just met her myself, give me a chance okay."

Becca turned serious for just a moment. "Aunty Faith would want you to be happy, you know."

Her comment made him wonder just what Faith had been telling her in her dreams.

"I know. So, how about we get to this story?"

Becca smiled and settled back against him.

She was asleep before the end of the second story. Probably because it had been a long one, but Callen had kept reading even after he knew she was asleep.

Callen set the books aside and just stayed where he was for a while whilst Becca slept in his arms. He remembered doing this with her when she was little. Remembered the first time she'd fallen asleep when he'd read to her.

Flashback

Callen looked up and saw Faith standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame and smiling at him. He smiled back and carefully moved the sleeping Becca off his chest and slipped off the bed, laying her down carefully on the pillow and tucking her in. He dropped a kiss on her forehead and moved quietly to the door, closing it gently behind him.

Callen looked at Faith and pulled her into his arms. "What's that look for?" he asked softly as he looked into her eyes. He saw the nervousness flare in them, then determination. He was very curious about what she was thinking.

"You're going to make a great dad one day G," she admitted in a whisper.

Callen smiled and lowered his head, capturing her lips with his in a long, slow and sweet kiss. When it was over, he pulled back and looked in her eyes, trying hard to ignore the pink in her cheeks and what he knew it meant.

"Just as long as you're the mum by my side."

Faith's eyes went wide in surprise and then she smiled and kissed him again. Not as slow and sweet, but heated and full of love.

End of Flashback.

That night after they'd gone to bed, they'd curled up together and talked about kids for the first time.

Callen moved carefully so as not to disturb Becca and tucked her in, dropping a kiss on her forehead as he had always done; as he had done with Tabby the other night.

He picked up the diary with careful fingers and quietly left the room. He slipped past the living room where everyone was chatting and laughing and went out the back to sit on the steps that led off the deck to the backyard.

Callen looked down at the book in his hand, not quite sure if now was the time to read it or not. He opened to the first page and saw the child-like hand writing 'I miss Aunty Faith and I miss you Uncle G.' Some of the letters were backwards and they were of varying different sizes, yet even though the words hurt to read, it was still one of the most beautiful things he'd seen. Callen felt the tears push against the backs of his eyes and when he heard the door close behind him he quickly shut the book and blinked them away.

Max sat down next to him, handing him a beer, which he took gratefully.

"So, she gave it to you then," Max said.

Callen looked at him. "You knew she was writing this?" he asked as he held up the book.

Max nodded. "It seemed to help her and she seemed to want to keep it a secret. I knew about it. Occasionally read it, just to make sure she was okay."

They sat in silence for a few moments before Max continued.

"I'm glad you're back G. I really am. I don't know exactly what you went through when Faith died, but I have an idea and I understand why you didn't want to come back. At least a little."

"What do you mean?" Callen asked confused.

"Gayle. We almost lost her a couple of years ago."

"What happened?" Callen asked. Gayle was Max's wife, Becca's mother.

"Heart attack."

Callen felt the breath get sucked out of him at those two words. Not again.

Max continued. "For the first few days, when we didn't know whether she'd make it or not, I couldn't face Bec or Will. I was too scared, didn't want them to see it."

Max took a drink and Callen waited silently, knowing how difficult it was to talk about things like this.

"After three days, Mum and Dad brought the kids to the hospital. I was furious with them. Mum took me aside and told me they needed to be there, needed to see Gayle, needed me." Max let out a sad chuckle. "I protested but Mum just looked at me; you know the look."

"I know," Callen agreed with a soft smile. Martha's trademark look when she knew she was right was well known. The good thing about Martha was she didn't overuse it. Just pulled it out on the most important occasions.

"She told me Bec had woken her up crying that morning. She was scared Gayle was going to die like Faith. God, I was floored by that." Max rubbed a hand over his face as he continued. "I had no idea Bec knew Faith had a heart attack. We'd never told her the details. She must have overheard sometime and then when she heard Gayle had the same thing…" Max trailed off as tears choked up his voice.

"Anyway," Max said after another drink and a shake of his head. "I just wanted you to know I do understand a little."

"Max I'm so sorry you went through that. I'm sorry I wasn't here."

Callen couldn't help the tiny bit of jealousy that flared that Gayle had made it yet Faith hadn't. He accepted that it was probably a perfectly normal reaction and pushed it back quickly.

"You're here now. Just stick around and we'll call it even," Max said, his tone light, though Callen knew the words were serious.

Callen grinned. "Don't have a choice now. Becca made me promise. I swear she's a cross between your mother and Faith."

Max chuckled softly. "You have no idea, but man, I am glad you're gonna be around when she starts dating."

"That's ages away though right?" Not that Callen was planning on disappearing but Becca was only nine.

"She ended up with ten valentines this year. Seriously G, I've got no idea what I'm going to do when some boy comes to pick her up on her first date."

"If you need help setting up surveillance, I know the perfect woman for the job," Callen replied.

"Yeah?" Max asked as he looked over at Callen.

"She's my boss. I swear it's entirely possible she could have cameras everywhere before Becca even decides what she's going to wear."

"Seriously? She'd do that for you?"

Callen grinned. "I have no idea whether she'd do that for me, but I have no doubt that she could pull it off if she wanted to."

"I'll definitely keep that in mind. Come on G, let's go join the party."

They stood up and went inside to join the others. There was still a while to go before midnight but the time went quickly and before Callen knew it, they were counting down to the clock striking twelve.

As it did and the couples kissed at midnight, Callen slipped away out to the deck. He lent his arms on the railing and looked up at the stars.

"Happy New Year G," came her quiet voice from beside him.

He didn't turn; he wanted her to stay.

"Happy New Year, Faith."

"She likes you. You should call her."

"Who?" Though he was pretty sure he knew the answer.

"Alyssa. Call her. Let her make you happy again," Faith's voice pleaded gently with him.

Callen smiled and nodded. She always knew him well, even now. "I will," he promised her.

"Now G," she said firmly. "Start the New Year with her."

Callen was tempted to turn then but didn't because he knew she really wasn't there. She couldn't be. She was just the voice of reason inside his head. A voice he was finally hearing again after years of shutting it out along with the pain. But when he was positive he felt her breath whisper past his ear as she said her next words he couldn't stop himself.

"You're right about Tabby. I would have adored her on sight!"

Callen turned but there was no one there. After a moment, when his heart settled again, he smiled and pulled out his phone. He found her number that Hetty had given him a couple of days ago. Just in case he wanted to call her. It was later in Salt Lake City but he was going to do it anyway.

"Happy New Year G," she answered sounding quite sleepy

"Happy New Year to you too. How did you know it was me?" Callen asked.

Her voice was so familiar to him now. He was sure he'd be able to pick it out of a crowded room.

"Caller ID. Hetty gave me your number. You do know it's late here, right?"

"I know. But it's only just gone twelve here. What did you do for New Year?" he asked, though he did feel a little guilty for waking her up, even though he'd known he would be before he'd even called.

"Tabby wanted to be awake for it so we set the alarm and went to bed early."

"So you've only just gone back to sleep?"

"I wasn't asleep yet."

Her voice was soft and quiet and Callen wanted nothing more than to be there beside her, hearing it in person rather than through a phone.

"I miss both of you," Callen admitted.

"We miss you too G," she replied and he felt his heart warm with her words.

"Mummy, is that G?" Callen heard Tabby's voice softly over the phone.

"Yeah. Did you want to say hi?"

"Hi. Happy New Year G," came that other little familiar voice in his ear. He smiled.

"Happy New Year Tabby. Go back sleep. I'll see you soon," Callen promised her again.

"When?" she asked, though it was cut off with a yawn.

"Your birthday."

"Not sooner?" she asked with a little plea.

Callen chuckled, so did Alyssa.

"You never know, but at the least it will be then. Goodnight Tabby."

"Goodnight G."

"Sorry about that," Alyssa said. "She keeps asking when we are going to see you again."

"When would you like to see me again?" Callen asked, his heart thudding in his chest, hopeful about the answer.

There was a pause for a moment before she said, "Whenever you're ready for us."

"I'm ready now," Callen said softly, knowing he was. Ready for her, ready for Tabby, ready for everything that came with it, including Hetty. "I just don't know whether I can get there sooner."

If things were quiet after New Year, he could probably swing a few days holiday. But that would depend on whether there were any cases that came up over this weekend. Which unfortunately tended to happen when things got out of hand at New Year celebrations, some of which led to more than simple accidents.

"It's okay G. We're not going anywhere. You come find us when you can. Tabby's goes back to school soon otherwise I'm pretty sure we'd be back there before her birthday."

"Sleep well, Ally," Callen said.

"You too, G. Happy New Year."

"It has been." He disconnected the call and looked at the sky again. So many stars, so many possibilities. His life had that again. A bright, sparkly possible future.

"Ally. Pretty name. Do I take it she's a pretty girl too?" a voice asked from behind.

Callen turned to see Martha standing in the doorway. She stepped forward to him. "You were gone when I looked around for you in there. Glad you are still here."

"I won't disappear again, Martha. I'm back. I promise," Callen said as she kissed him on the cheek.

"Happy New Year G."

"Happy New Year."

Martha leant against the railing with him and looked at the sky.

"So… Ally? What's she like?" Martha asked.

This was weird, talking to Martha about someone other than Faith.

"G, she'd want you to move on. To be happy. We all do," Martha assured him.

Callen went back to his previous position resting on his arms, next to her.

"She's the opposite in looks to Faith. She's not quite as mischievous, though her daughter makes up for that. She's fun, caring and an amazing mum."

"She has a little girl. Very nice. What's her name?" There was definite approval in Martha's tone and Callen relaxed.

"Tabitha. Tabby. Becca wants to meet her already."

Callen couldn't help but smile over Becca's reaction to hearing about Tabby.

"I hope we all will." Martha looked over at him and continued. "You are still family G, even without Faith."

"I know."

"So, you know that when they get attached to you, they will also be part of us."

Callen grinned. "When huh?"

Martha grinned back. "You have good taste G. I have faith that you have chosen well."

"I only met her at Christmas."

"So?"

"You don't think that is too soon?" Callen asked her.

Martha shook her head. "It's never too soon when it's right."

They stood there quietly, a comfortable silence settling over them as they watched the stars together and everyone inside slowly went to bed. They were the last two to retire for the night, Martha cupping his face before she left him to get comfortable on the couch. "Be happy, G. That's all we've ever wanted for you."

Callen watched her walk up the stairs as he thought over the last week and the changes in him.

That was all he wanted too. And he already was. Because of a dream that felt like it had been real; because of a match-making little angel, a jolly Sam Santa, a technical non-scary future ghost, a dark haired pixie and two beautiful girls who actually wanted him in their life. Because of all that, he now had three families; his past, his current and his future one.

Three families that, if he had any say in the matter, would become one.

His.